Illumination systems providing direct and indirect illumination

ABSTRACT

Illumination devices are described for illuminating a target area, e.g., floors of a room, using solid-state light sources. In general, an illumination device includes a first light guide extending along a first plane, the first light guide to receive light from first light emitting elements (LEEs) and guide the light in a first direction in the first plane; a second light guide extending along the first plane, the second light guide to receive light from second LEEs and guide the light in a second direction in the first plane opposite to the first direction; a first redirecting optic to receive light from the first light guide and direct the light in first and second angular ranges; and a second redirecting optic to receive light from the second light guide and direct the light in third and fourth angular ranges, where the first, second, third and fourth angular ranges are different.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application and claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 USC 120 to International ApplicationPCT/US2013/059416, filed Sep. 12, 2013, which is a non-provisionalapplication of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/700,641 filed Sep.13, 2012, and of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/780,301 filed Mar.13, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to illumination systems that usesolid-state based illumination devices providing direct and indirectillumination onto a target surface that is located in a givenenvironment, where the indirect illumination is provided by illuminatingone or more diffusive surfaces from the given environment.

BACKGROUND

Light sources are used in a variety of applications, such as providinggeneral illumination and providing light for electronic displays (e.g.,LCDs). Historically, incandescent light sources have been widely usedfor general illumination purposes. Incandescent light sources producelight by heating a filament wire to a high temperature until it glows.The hot filament is protected from oxidation in the air with a glassenclosure that is filled with inert gas or evacuated. Incandescent lightsources are gradually being replaced in many applications by other typesof electric lights, such as fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps(CFL), cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), high-intensity dischargelamps, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to illumination systems that usesolid-state based illumination devices providing direct and indirectillumination onto a target surface that is located in a givenenvironment. In accordance with the disclosed technologies, thesolid-state based illumination devices provide the indirect illuminationof the target surface by illuminating one or more diffusive surfacesfrom the given environment that are different from the target surface. Asurface is referred to as a diffusive surface because light thatimpinges on the diffuse surface, in accordance with an arbitraryintensity distribution, is reflected by the diffusive surface in alldirections which lie in the half-space adjacent to the surface (andobeys a Lambertian intensity distribution). For example, a solid-statebased illumination device can be supported from a ceiling of a room andconfigured to directly illuminate a target surface of the room, e.g.,the floor, a desk in the room, a side-panel of an object in the room ora side-panel on a wall of the room, and to further illuminate theceiling and/or one or more walls of the room. In this arrangement, thelight which illuminates the ceiling diffusely reflects off the ceilingand indirectly illuminates the floor. Moreover, the illumination devicecan be configured to directly illuminate the floor in a manner thatconforms to glare standards. In general, the disclosed illuminationsystems can be configured to provide light for particular lightingapplications, including office lighting, garage lighting, or cabinetlighting, for instance.

A variety of illumination devices are disclosed that are configured tomanipulate light provided by multiple light-emitting elements (LEEs).The LEEs can include LEDs, for example solid-state LEDs. In general,implementations of the illumination devices feature one or more primaryoptics (e.g., parabolic, elliptical, conical optical couplers) thatredirect illumination from the LEEs to secondary optics which thenoutput the light into a range of angles. In some implementations, anillumination device includes a light guide that guides light from theprimary optics to the secondary optics. The components of theillumination devices can be configured in a variety of ways so a varietyof intensity distributions can be output by the illumination devices.Such illumination devices can be configured to provide light forparticular lighting applications directly to the target surface from thegiven environment and to one or more diffusive surfaces from the givenenvironment that are different from the target surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an example of an illumination system including anillumination device that provides direct and indirect illumination.

FIG. 1B shows an example of an intensity profile of an illuminationdevice that provides direct and indirect illumination used in theillumination system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a diagrammatic representation of an illumination devicethat provides direct and indirect illumination with an intensity profileas shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B.

FIG. 2B shows instances of an intensity profile of the illuminationdevice of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 3A-3G show aspects of an example of a luminaire module included inthe illumination devices of FIG. 2A or 5A.

FIGS. 4A-4B show aspects of an implementation of the illumination deviceshown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5A shows a diagrammatic representation of an illumination devicethat provides direct and indirect illumination with an intensity profileas shown in FIGS. 1B and 5B.

FIG. 5B shows instances of an intensity profile of the illuminationdevice of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A-6B show aspects of an implementation of the illumination deviceshown in FIG. 5A.

Reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicateexemplary aspects, implementations of particular features of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to illumination systems configured todirectly and indirectly illuminate a target surface in a givenenvironment, e.g., a floor of a room, a garage, etc., using anillumination device arranged and configured to (i) directly illuminatethe target surface; and (ii) illuminate one or more diffusive surfacesfrom the given environment that are different from the target surface,e.g., a ceiling of the room, the garage, etc., such that the light whichilluminates the diffusive surfaces reflects there-off and indirectlyilluminates the target surface. In some implementations, the diffusivesurfaces are positioned away from and facing the target area. Forexample, a diffusive surface is the ceiling of a room and the targetarea is the floor of (or a desk surface in) the room. The illuminationdevice includes light emitting elements (LEEs, such as, e.g., lightemitting diodes, LEDs) and redirecting optics that are configured toprovide direct and indirect illumination distributions. In someimplementations, the illumination device is configured to allowinterdependent as well as independent control of the indirectilluminations by a user.

(i) Illumination Systems Including an Illumination Device Used toProvide Direct and Indirect Illumination

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of an illumination system 100 inwhich a Cartesian coordinate system is shown for schematic reference.The illumination system 100 is configured to illuminate a target surface190 in a given environment, e.g., the floor of a room, and includes anillumination device 150. The illumination device 150 includes lightemitting elements (LEEs, such as, e.g., light emitting diodes, LEDs)configured to emit light, and redirecting optics coupled with the LEEsand configured to redirect the emitted light as output light in directangular ranges 142 a, 142 a′ and in indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142b′. The direct illumination is provided by the illumination device 150by illuminating the target surface 190, in accordance with the directangular distributions 142 a, 142 a′. Moreover, the indirect illuminationto the target surface 190 is provided by the illumination device 150 byilluminating a diffusive surface 180 of the environment (e.g., theceiling of the room) different form the target area 190, in accordancewith the indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′. In this manner, thediffusive surface 180 redirects the light received from the illuminationdevice 150 in the indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′, such that thetarget surface 190 is illuminated with redirected light, in accordancewith diffuse angular ranges 152, 152′. In some implementations, thediffuse angular ranges 152, 152′ of light redirected by the diffusivesurface 180 correspond to Lambertian light distributions. In some cases,surface 180 may have mixed specular diffuse reflective properties. Assuch, in some implementations, the diffuse angular ranges 152, 152′ oflight redirected by the surface 180 correspond to a combination ofLambertian and specular reflected light distributions.

In some implementations, the illumination device 150 is elongated alongthe y-axis, perpendicular to the page. In other implementations, theillumination device 150 is non-elongated, e.g. the illumination device150 can have rotational symmetry around an axis parallel to the z-axis.In some implementations, the illumination device 150 is configured toallow interdependent as well as independent control of the directillumination (corresponding to angular ranges 142 a, 142 b) and theindirect illumination (corresponding to angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′),by a user. The foregoing interdependent or independent control can beimplemented by particular arrangements of the redirecting opticsrelative to the multiple LEEs, and by selectively turning on or off (ordimming) appropriate ones of the multiple LEEs of the illuminationdevice 150, as described below in connection with FIGS. 1B, 2B and 5B.

Although not shown in FIG. 1A, selectively turning on or off (ordimming) appropriate ones of the multiple LEEs of the illuminationdevice 150 is implemented using switch circuitry, also known as powercontroller. For example, the switch circuitry includes an electricalswitch. In some implementation, the switch circuitry is disposed localto the illumination device 150. In other implementations, the switchcircuitry is disposed remotely from the illumination device, e.g., on awall of a room that includes the floor 190 and the ceiling 180 or on atarget surface, e.g., on a table/desk/shelf. In some implementations,the switch circuitry can include one or more current sources toselectively dim appropriate ones of the multiple LEEs of theillumination device 150. For example, dimming may be implemented usingpulse width modulation, pulse code modulation, amplitude dimming, phasecut dimming or other dimming schemes.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, the illumination device 150 issupported by the ceiling 180 through a support 108. In someimplementations, the support 108 can be wires, rods, or combinationsthereof. In some implementations, an illumination device 150 that iselongated along the y-axis is supported from the ceiling 180 by asuspension system, for example frames, air craft cables or othersuspension system, attached to the ends of the illumination device 150(as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 4B and 6B.)

The illumination system 100 can be configured to provide a particularlight intensity distribution on the target surface 190, subject to givenconstraints. For example, the illumination system 100 is configured touniformly illuminate the floor 190 (e.g., to obtain 10% or other overlapbetween each of adjacent direct angular ranges 152′, 142 a′, 142 a and152 at the floor level), and to be in conformance with glare standards.For example, light redirected towards the floor 190 in the directangular ranges 142 a and 142 a′ is configured not to exceed a glancingangle of 40° with respect to the z-axis. In this manner, AmericanNational Standard Practice for Office Lighting RP-1 specifies that theamount of light emitted above 55° is smaller than 300 cd. Suchconfigurations of the illumination system 100 can be implemented byselecting appropriate combinations of system parameters such as (i) thedirect angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′ of direct light output by theillumination device 150; (ii) the indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′of indirect light output by the illumination device 150 relative to theangular ranges 152, 152′ of the light redirected by the diffuse surface180; and (iii) a distance “H” from the diffuse surface 180 (e.g., theceiling) to an effective center of the illumination device 150, e.g.,H=3 ft.

(ii) Direct and Indirect Illumination Provided by the IlluminationDevice of the Illumination System

FIG. 1B shows an x-z cross-section of an example light intensity profile141 of the illumination device 150 that is elongated along the y-axis(perpendicular to the sectional plane of FIG. 1A). It is noted that FIG.1B disregards possible different origins of different lobes 142-DL,142-DR, 142-IL and 142-IR. Such detail is indicated in FIGS. 2B and 5Band may or may not be relevant for far field illumination, depending onthe implementation.

Lobes 142-DR and 142-DL of the light intensity profile 141 respectivelyrepresent direct light output by the illumination device 150 to theright-side and left-side of the x-z cross-section of the illuminationdevice 150 and correspond to respective direct angular ranges 142 a and142 a′. Lobes 142-IR and 142-IL of the light intensity profile 141respectively represent indirect light output by the illumination device150 to the right-side and left-side of the x-z cross-section of theillumination device 150 and correspond to respective indirect angularranges 142 b and 142 b′.

As described in detail below, composition and geometry of components ofthe illumination device 150 can affect the light intensity profile 141.For the example illustrated in FIG. 1B, the illumination device 150 isconfigured to direct substantially all of the indirect light 142-IL tothe left-side of the x-z cross-section of the illumination device 150into a range of polar angles between −90° and −120° towards the ceiling180, and all of the indirect light 142-IR to the right-side of the x-zcross-section of the illumination device 150 into a range of polarangles between +90° and +120° towards the ceiling 180. In this case, theforward direction is the direction of the z-axis and can be toward thefloor 190 for the illumination system 100. Here, the illumination device150 is configured to direct substantially all of the forward (e.g.,direct) light 142-DR, 142-DL into a range of polar angles between −60°and +60° in the x-z cross-sectional plane of the illumination device150. According to another implementation, the illumination profile ofthe forward light is configured to illuminate a target surface with aparticular degree of uniformity. Such an illumination profile may bereferred to as a batwing profile.

In some implementations, multiple correlated color temperature (CCT) orother chromaticity light sources can be included in the illuminationdevice 150. These multiple CCT light sources can be controlled (e.g.,certain LEEs may be selectively powered on/off, dimmed, etc., duringoperation) to interpolate between the CCTs and intensity levels ineither of lobes 142-DR, or 142-DL, or 142-IR, or 142-IL; in either ofcombinations of lobes 142-DR and 142-DL, or 142-IR and 142-IL; and ineither of combinations of lobes 142-DR and 142-IR, or 142-DL and 142-ILor other combinations. In this manner, the CCT corresponding to thelobes or combinations of lobes can be modified from a bluish to areddish CCT throughout the day to accomplish certain bioluminouseffects, for instance.

In some configurations of the illumination device 150, certain of theLEEs of the illumination device 150 can be dimmed, or turned off duringoperation, such that the illumination device 150 outputs light mostly(or only) in lobes 142-DR and 142-DL to directly illuminate both rightand left sides of the floor 190, with respect to the x-z cross-sectionof the illumination device 150. These configurations of the illuminationdevice 150 can be implemented using an illumination device having astructure described generally in connection with FIG. 2A. An example ofsuch an illumination device is described in detail in connection withFIGS. 4A-4B. In these configurations of the illumination device, certainother of the LEEs of the illumination device can be dimmed, or turnedoff during operation, such that the illumination device outputs lightmostly (or only) in lobes 142-IR and 142-IL to illuminate both right andleft sides of the ceiling 180, with respect to the x-z cross-section ofthe illumination device 150, in order to provide indirect illuminationto the floor 190.

In other configurations of the illumination device 150, some of the LEEsof the illumination device 150 can be dimmed, or turned off duringoperation, such that the illumination device 150 outputs light mostly(or only) in lobes 142-DR and 142-IR to directly and indirectlyilluminate the right side of the floor 190, with respect to the x-zcross-section of the illumination device 150. These other configurationsof the illumination device 150 can be implemented using an illuminationdevice having a structure described generally in connection with FIG.5A. An example of such an illumination device is described in detail inconnection with FIGS. 6A-6B. In these other configurations of theillumination device, some other of the LEEs of the illumination devicecan be dimmed, or turned off during operation, such that theillumination device outputs light mostly (or only) in lobes 142-DL and142-IL to directly and indirectly illuminate the left side of the floor190, with respect to the x-z cross-section of the illumination device150.

(iii) Illumination Device Used to Provide Direct and/or IndirectIllumination on Both Right and Left Sides of the Illumination Device

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of an illumination device 200 inwhich a Cartesian coordinate system is shown for schematic reference. Inthis example, the coordinate system is oriented relative to theillumination device 200 such that light output by the illuminationdevice 200 in each of direct angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′ has aprevalent direction with a non-zero component that is parallel to thez-axis, and in each of indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′ has aprevalent direction with a non-zero component that is antiparallel tothe z-axis. Also in this example, the illumination device 200 canprovide indirect illumination to a target surface in a givenenvironment, when the target surface is spaced apart from theillumination device 200 in the positive direction of the z-axis. In thismanner, the illumination device 200 is configured to illuminate (inaddition to the target surface) a diffusive surface in the givenenvironment, when the diffusive surface is spaced apart from theillumination device 200 in the negative direction of the z-axis.

The illumination device 200 includes a direct illumination portion 201a, an indirect illumination portion 201 b and a mount 210. The directand indirect illumination portions 201 a and 201 b are supported by themount 210 such that (i) direct illumination is provided to the target bythe illumination device 200 with light output by the direct illuminationportion 201 a in the direct angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′; and (ii)indirect illumination is provided to the target by the illuminationdevice 200 with light output by the indirect illumination portion 201 bin the indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′.

According to some implementations the illumination device 200 may beconfigured to provide light in only one of the direct angular ranges 142a, 142 a′ and one of the indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′ orcombinations thereof. Example combinations include {142 a and 142 b},{142 a′ and 142 b′}, {142 a′ and 142 b}, {142 a and 142 b′}, {142 a and142 a′ and 142 b}, and so forth.

An example implementation of the illumination device 200 is describedbelow in connection with FIGS. 4A-4B. Example implementations of thedirect and/or indirect illumination portions 201 a, 201 b are describedbelow in connection with FIGS. 3A-3G.

(iii-a) Direct Illumination Portion of the Illumination Device

The direct illumination portion 201 a includes one or more direct LEEs212 a disposed on a first surface of the mount 210, one or more directprimary optics 220 a (e.g., direct optical couplers), an optional directlight guide 230 a, and a direct secondary optic 240 a (e.g., directoptical extractor). The direct LEEs 212 a emit light, during operation,in a first direct angular range 115 a with respect to their opticalaxes, which can coincide with a normal to the first surface of the mount210 (e.g., antiparallel to the z-axis). For example, a divergence of thefirst direct angular range 115 a of the light emitted by the direct LEEs212 a can be 150°-180° around optical axes of the direct LEEs 212 a.This may correspond with an illumination pattern with a full width halfmaximum of 30°, for example. The direct primary optics 220 a receivelight in the first direct angular range 115 a from the direct LEEs 212a. Each direct primary optic 220 a is configured to redirect the lightreceived in the first direct angular range 115 a into a light with asecond direct angular range 125 a and direct it into a first end ofdirect light guide 230 a. For example, a divergence of the second directangular range 125 a of the light provided by the direct primary optics220 a can be between about 40 to about 80°. When the direct light guide230 a is not part of the direct illumination portion 201 a, the directprimary optics 220 a redirect the light with the second direct angularrange 125 a towards the direct secondary optic 240 a. The direct lightguide 230 a can guide the light to a distal end of the direct lightguide 230 a away from direct LEEs 212 a. The direct light guide 230 aprovides the guided light at the distal end in a third direct angularrange 135 a. In some implementations, the direct light guide 230 a canbe shaped to guide the light received from the direct primary optics 220a in the second direct angular range 125 a and to provide the guidedlight in substantially the same second direct angular range (directangular range 135 a≈direct angular range 125 a) at the output end of thedirect light guide 230 a. The direct secondary optic 240 a receiveslight with third direct angular range 135 a that exits end of the directlight guide 230 a or, when the direct light guide 230 a is not part ofthe direct illumination portion 201 a, the direct secondary optic 240 areceives the light with second direct angular range 125 a provided bythe direct primary optics 220 a. The direct secondary optic 240 aincludes a reflective interface that reflects the light, which exitsdirect illumination portion 201 a (indicated by arrows) with one or moredirect output angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′. The reflective interface ofthe direct secondary optic 240 a includes two light reflecting surfaces.As described below in connection with FIGS. 3A-3G, the direct outputangular ranges 142 a, 142 a′ at which light exits the direct secondaryoptic 240 a can depend on the properties of direct secondary optic 240 a(e.g., geometry of the optical interfaces and optical properties of thematerials forming the direct secondary optic 240 a).

(iii-b) Indirect Illumination Portion of the Illumination Device

The indirect illumination portion 201 b includes one or more indirectLEEs 212 b disposed on a second surface of the mount 210, one or moreindirect primary optics 220 b (e.g., indirect optical couplers), anoptional indirect light guide 230 b, and an indirect secondary optic 240b (e.g., indirect optical extractor). The indirect LEEs 212 b emitlight, during operation, in a first indirect angular range 115 b withrespect to their optical axes, which can coincide with a normal to thesecond surface of the mount 210 (e.g., parallel to the z-axis). Forexample, a divergence of the first indirect angular range 115 b of thelight emitted by the indirect LEEs 212 b can be 150°-180° around opticalaxes of the indirect LEEs 212 b. This may correspond with anillumination pattern with a full width half maximum of 30°, for example.The indirect primary optics 220 b receive light in the first indirectangular range 115 b from the indirect LEEs 212 b. Each indirect primaryoptic 220 b is configured to redirect the light received in the firstindirect angular range 115 b into a light with a second indirect angularrange 125 b and direct it into a first end of indirect light guide 230b. For example, a divergence of the second indirect angular range 125 bof the light provided by the indirect primary optics 220 b can bebetween about 40 to about 80°. When the indirect light guide 230 b isnot part of the indirect illumination portion 201 b, the indirectprimary optics 220 b redirect the light with the second indirect angularrange 125 b towards the indirect secondary optic 240 b. The indirectlight guide 230 b can guide the light to a distal end of the indirectlight guide 230 b away from indirect LEEs 212 b. The indirect lightguide 230 b provides the guided light at the distal end in a thirdindirect angular range 135 b. In some implementations, the indirectlight guide 230 b can be shaped to guide the light received from theindirect primary optics 220 b in the second indirect angular range 125 band to provide the guided light in substantially the same secondindirect angular range (indirect angular range 135 b≈indirect angularrange 125 b) at the output end of the indirect light guide 230 b. Theindirect secondary optic 240 b receives light with third indirectangular range 135 b that exits end of the indirect light guide 230 b or,when the indirect light guide 230 b is not part of the indirectillumination portion 201 b, the indirect secondary optic 240 b receivesthe light with second indirect angular range 125 b provided by theindirect primary optics 220 b. The indirect secondary optic 240 bincludes a reflective interface that reflects the light, which exitsindirect illumination portion 201 b (indicated by arrows) with one ormore indirect output angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′. The reflectiveinterface of the indirect secondary optic 240 b includes two lightreflecting surfaces. As described below in connection with FIGS. 3A-3G,the indirect output angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′ at which light exitsthe indirect secondary optic 240 b can depend on the properties ofindirect secondary optic 240 b (e.g., geometry of the optical interfacesand optical properties of the materials forming the indirect secondaryoptic 240 b).

(iv) Direct and/or Indirect Illumination Provided on Both Right and LeftSides of the Illumination Device

The illumination device 200 can be configured to allow a user tointerdependently as well as independently power the direct LEEs 212 aand the indirect LEEs 212 b and as such correspondingly control directand indirect illumination. For instance, the intensity profile 141illustrated in FIG. 1B corresponds to an intensity profile output by theillumination device 200 when both the direct LEEs 212 a and the indirectLEEs 212 b are powered ON. Referring to FIG. 1B, lobes 142-DR and 142-DLof the light intensity profile 141 represent direct light output by theillumination device 200 to the right-side and left-side of the x-zcross-section of the illumination device 200 and correspond torespective direct angular ranges 142 a and 142 a′. Lobes 142-IR and142-IL of the light intensity profile 141 represent indirect lightoutput by the illumination device 150 to the right-side and left-side ofthe x-z cross-section of the illumination device 150 and correspond torespective indirect angular ranges 142 b and 142 b′.

FIG. 2B shows two instances of a light intensity profile of theillumination device 200. It is noted that contrary to a typical farfield polar plot representation, the center of the intensity profilesfor the illustrated lobes are offset to correspond with the notionalorigin of the direct angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′ and the indirectangular ranges 142 b, 142 b′ illustrated in FIG. 4A, for example. Afirst instance 141-D of the light intensity profile corresponds to theillumination device 200 having the direct LEEs 212 a powered ON and theindirect LEEs 212 b powered OFF (or dimmed with respect to the directLEEs 212 a). In this first instance, lobes 142-DR and 142-DL of thelight intensity profile 141-D represent direct light output by theillumination device 200 to the right-side and left-side of the x-zcross-section of the illumination device 200 and correspond torespective direct angular ranges 142 a and 142 a′. A second instance141-I of the light intensity profile corresponds to the illuminationdevice 200 having the indirect LEEs 212 b powered ON and the direct LEEs212 a powered OFF (or dimmed with respect to the indirect LEEs 212 b).In this second instance, lobes 142-IR and 142-IL of the light intensityprofile 141-I represent indirect light output by the illumination device200 to the right-side and left-side of the x-z cross-section of theillumination device 200 and correspond to respective indirect angularranges 142 b and 142 b′.

(v) Luminaire Module

FIG. 3A shows an example of a luminaire module 301 that can be used toimplement the direct illumination portion 201 a, or the indirectillumination portion 201 b, or both direct and indirect illuminationportions 201 a, 201 b of an elongate implementation of illuminationdevice 200.

A Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIG. 3A for reference. Theluminaire module 301 includes a mount 310 having a plurality of director indirect LEEs 312 distributed along a first surface 310 a of themount. The mount 310 with the LEEs 312 is disposed at a first (e.g.,upper) edge 331 of a light guide 330. As shorthand, the positivez-direction is referred to herein as the “forward” direction and thenegative z-direction is the “backward” direction. Sections through theillumination device parallel to the x-z plane are referred to as the“cross-section” or “cross-sectional plane” of the luminaire module.Also, luminaire module 301 extends along the y-direction, so thisdirection is referred to as the “longitudinal” direction of theluminaire module. Lastly, implementations of luminaire modules can havea plane of symmetry parallel to the y-z plane. This is referred to asthe “symmetry plane” of the luminaire module.

Multiple LEEs 312 are disposed on the first surface 310 a of the mount,although only one of the multiple LEEs 312 is shown in FIG. 3A. Forexample, the plurality of LEEs 312 can include multiple white LEDs. Anoptical extractor 340 is disposed at second (e.g., lower) edge 332 oflight guide 330. The LEEs 312 are coupled with one or more opticalcouplers 320 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 3A).

Mount 310, light guide 330, and optical extractor 340 extend a length Lalong the y-direction, so that the luminaire module is an elongatedluminaire module with an elongation of L that may be about parallel to awall of a room (e.g., a ceiling of the room). Generally, L can vary asdesired. Typically, L is in a range from about 1 cm to about 300 cm(e.g., 20 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 40 cm or more, 50 cm or more, 60 cmor more, 70 cm or more, 80 cm or more, 100 cm or more, 125 cm or more,or, 150 cm or more).

The number of LEEs 312 on the mount 310 will generally depend, interalia, on the length L, where more LEEs are used for longer luminairemodules. In some implementations, the plurality of LEEs 312 can includebetween 10 and 1,000 LEEs (e.g., about 50 LEEs, about 100 LEEs, about300 LEEs, about 500 LEEs). Generally, the density of LEEs (e.g., numberof LEEs per unit length) will also depend on the nominal power of theLEEs and illuminance desired from the luminaire module. For example, arelatively high density of LEEs can be used in applications where highilluminance is desired or where low power LEEs are used. In someimplementations, the luminaire module 301 has an LEE density along itslength of 0.1 LEE per centimeter or more (e.g., 0.2 per centimeter ormore, 0.5 per centimeter or more, 1 per centimeter or more, 2 percentimeter or more). In implementations, LEEs can be evenly spaced alongthe length, L, of the luminaire module. In some implementations, aheat-sink 305 can be attached to the mount 310 to extract heat emittedby the plurality of LEEs 312. The heat-sink 305 can be disposed on asurface of the mount 310 opposing the side 310 a of the mount 310 onwhich the LEEs 312 are disposed.

Optical coupler 320 includes one or more solid pieces of transparentoptical material (e.g., a glass material or a transparent organicplastic, such as polycarbonate or acrylic) having surfaces 321 and 322positioned to reflect light from the LEEs 312 towards the light guide330. In general, surfaces 321 and 322 are shaped to collect and at leastpartially collimate light emitted from the LEEs. In the x-zcross-sectional plane, surfaces 321 and 322 can be straight or curved.Examples of curved surfaces include surfaces having a constant radius ofcurvature, parabolic or hyperbolic shapes. In some implementations,surfaces 321 and 322 are coated with a highly reflective material (e.g.,a reflective metal, such as aluminum or silver), to provide a highlyreflective optical interface. The cross-sectional profile of opticalcoupler 320 can be uniform along the length L of luminaire module 301.Alternatively, the cross-sectional profile can vary. For example,surfaces 321 and/or 322 can be curved out of the x-z plane.

The surface of optical coupler 320 adjacent upper edge of light guide331 is optically coupled to edge 331. In other words, the surfaces ofthe interface are attached using a material that substantially matchesthe refractive index of the material forming the optical coupler 320 orlight guide 330 or both. For example, optical coupler 320 can be affixedto light guide 330 using an index matching fluid, grease, or adhesive.In some implementations, optical coupler 320 is fused to light guide 330or they are integrally formed from a single piece of material (e.g.,coupler and light guide may be monolithic and may be made of a solidtransparent optical material).

Light guide 330 is formed from a piece of transparent material (e.g.,glass material such as BK7, fused silica or quartz glass, or atransparent organic plastic, such as polycarbonate or acrylic) that canbe the same or different from the material forming optical couplers 320.Light guide 330 extends length L in the y-direction, has a uniformthickness T in the x-direction, and a uniform depth D in thez-direction. The dimensions D and T are generally selected based on thedesired optical properties of the light guide and/or the direct/indirectintensity distribution. During operation, light coupled into the lightguide 330 from optical coupler 320 (depicted by rays 125) reflects offthe planar surfaces of the light guide by TIR and spatially mixes withinthe light guide. The mixing can help achieve illuminance and/or coloruniformity at the distal portion of the light guide 332 at opticalextractor 340. The depth, D, of light guide 330 can be selected toachieve adequate uniformity at the exit aperture (i.e., at end 332) ofthe light guide. In some implementations, D is in a range from about 1cm to about 20 cm (e.g., 2 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 8 cmor more, 10 cm or more, 12 cm or more).

In general, optical couplers 320 are designed to restrict the angularrange of light entering the light guide 330 (e.g., to within +/−40degrees) so that at least a substantial amount of the light is coupledinto spatial modes in the light guide 330 that undergoes TIR at theplanar surfaces. Light guide 330 has a uniform thickness T, which is thedistance separating two planar opposing surfaces of the light guide.Generally, T is sufficiently large so the light guide has an aperture atfirst (e.g., upper) surface 331 sufficiently large to approximatelymatch (or exceed) the aperture of optical coupler 320. In someimplementations, T is in a range from about 0.05 cm to about 2 cm (e.g.,about 0.1 cm or more, about 0.2 cm or more, about 0.5 cm or more, about0.8 cm or more, about 1 cm or more, about 1.5 cm or more). Depending onthe implementation, the narrower the light guide the better it mayspatially mix light. A narrow light guide also provides a narrow exitaperture. As such light emitted from the light guide can be consideredto resemble the light emitted from a one-dimensional linear lightsource, also referred to as an elongate virtual filament.

As discussed previously, length L corresponds to the length of theelongated luminaire module and can vary as desired.

While optical coupler 320 and light guide 330 are formed from solidpieces of transparent optical material, hollow structures are alsopossible. For example, the optical coupler 320 or the light guide 330 orboth may be hollow with reflective inner surfaces rather than beingsolid. As such material cost can be reduced and absorption in the lightguide avoided. A number of specular reflective materials may be suitablefor this purpose including materials such as 3M Vikuiti™ or Miro IV™sheet from Alanod Corporation where greater than 90% of the incidentlight would be efficiently guided to the optical extractor. Opticalextractor 340 is also composed of a solid piece of transparent opticalmaterial (e.g., a glass material or a transparent organic plastic, suchas polycarbonate or acrylic) that can be the same as or different fromthe material forming light guide 330. In the example implementationshown in FIG. 3A, the piece of dielectric material includes redirecting(e.g., flat) surfaces 342 and 344 and curved output surfaces 346 and 348(also referred to as exit surfaces). The redirecting surfaces 342 and344 represent first and second portions of a redirecting surface 343,while the curved output surfaces 346 and 348 represent first and secondoutput surfaces of the luminaire module 301.

Redirecting surfaces 342 and 344 are coated with a highly reflectivematerial (e.g., a highly reflective metal, such as aluminum or silver)over which a protective coating may be disposed. Thus, redirectingsurfaces 342 and 344 provide a highly reflective optical interface forlight entering an input end of the optical extractor 332′ from lightguide 330. In the x-z cross-sectional plane, the lines corresponding toredirecting surfaces 342 and 344 have the same length and form an apexor vertex 341, e.g. a v-shape that meets at the apex 341. In general, anincluded angle (e.g., the smallest included angle between theredirecting surfaces 344 and 342) of the redirecting surfaces 342, 344can vary as desired. For example, in some implementations, the includedangle can be relatively small (e.g., from 30° to 60°). In certainimplementations, the included angle is in a range from 60° to 120°(e.g., about 90°). The included angle can also be relatively large(e.g., in a range from 120° to 150° or more). In the exampleimplementation shown in FIG. 3A, the output surfaces 346 and 348 of theoptical extractor 340 are curved with a constant radius of curvaturethat is the same for both. In an aspect, the output surfaces 346, 348may include optical power. Accordingly, luminaire module 301 has a planeof symmetry intersecting apex 341 parallel to the y-z plane.

The surface of optical extractor 340 adjacent to the lower edge 332 oflight guide 330 is optically coupled to edge 332. For example, opticalextractor 340 can be affixed to light guide 330 using an index matchingfluid, grease, or adhesive. In some implementations, optical extractor340 is fused to light guide 330 or they are integrally formed from asingle piece of material.

The emission spectrum of the luminaire module 301 corresponds to theemission spectrum of the LEEs 312. However, in some implementations, awavelength-conversion material may be positioned in the luminairemodule, for example remote from the LEEs, so that the wavelengthspectrum of the luminaire module is dependent both on the emissionspectrum of the LEEs and the composition of the wavelength-conversionmaterial. In general, a wavelength-conversion material can be placed ina variety of different locations in luminaire module 301. For example, awavelength-conversion material may be disposed proximate the LEEs 312,adjacent redirecting surfaces 342 and 344 of optical extractor 340, onthe exit surfaces 346 and 348 of optical extractor 340, placed at adistance from the exit surfaces 346 and 348 and/or at other locations.

The layer of wavelength-conversion material may be attached to lightguide 330 held in place via a suitable support structure (notillustrated), disposed within the extractor (also not illustrated) orotherwise arranged, for example. Wavelength-conversion material that isdisposed within the extractor may be configured as a shell or otherobject and disposed within a notional area that is circumscribed by R/nor even smaller R*(1+n²)^((−1/2)), where R is the radius of curvature ofthe light-exit surfaces (346 and 348 in FIG. 3A) of the extractor and nis the index of refraction of the portion of the extractor that isopposite of the wavelength-conversion material as viewed from theredirecting surfaces (342 and 344 in FIG. 3A). The support structure maybe transparent self-supporting structure. The light-converting materialdiffuses light as it converts the wavelengths, provides mixing of thelight and can help uniformly illuminate target surfaces disposed withinthe output angular ranges 142, 142′.

During operation, light exiting light guide 330 through end 332 impingeson the reflective interfaces at portions of the redirecting surface 342and 344 and is reflected outwardly towards output surfaces 346 and 348,respectively, away from the symmetry plane of the luminaire module. Thefirst portion of the redirecting surface 342 provides light having anangular distribution 138 towards the output surface 346, the secondportion of the redirecting surface 344 provides light having an angulardistribution 138′ towards the output surface 346. The light exitsoptical extractor through output surfaces 346 and 348. In general, theoutput surfaces 346 and 348 have optical power, to redirect the lightexiting the optical extractor 340 in angular ranges 142 and 142′,respectively. For example, optical extractor 340 may be configured toemit light upwards (i.e., towards the plane intersecting the LEEs andparallel to the x-y plane), downwards (i.e., away from that plane) orboth upwards and downwards. In general, the direction of light exitingthe luminaire module through output surfaces 346 and 348 depends on thedivergence of the light exiting light guide 330 and the orientation ofredirecting surfaces 342 and 344.

Redirecting surfaces 342 and 344 may be oriented so that little or nolight from light guide 330 is output by optical extractor 340 indirections that are within a certain angle of the forward direction(i.e., in certain angular ranges relative to the positive z-direction).In implementations where the luminaire module 301 is attached to aceiling of a room so that the forward direction is towards the floor,such configurations can help avoid glare and an appearance ofnon-uniform illuminance.

In general, the light intensity distribution provided by luminairemodule 301 reflects the symmetry of the luminaire module's structureabout the y-z plane.

In general, the intensity profile of luminaire module 301 will depend onthe configuration of the optical coupler 320, the light guide 330 andthe optical extractor 340. For instance, the interplay between the shapeof the optical coupler 320, the shape of the redirecting surface 343 ofthe optical extractor 340 and the shapes of the output surfaces 346, 348of the optical extractor 340 can be used to control the angular widthand prevalent direction (orientation) of the lobes in the intensityprofile 141.

In some implementations, the orientation of the lobes 142-DR, 142-DL,142-IR, 142-IL can be adjusted based on the included angle of thev-shaped groove 341 formed by the portions of the redirecting surface342 and 344. For example, a first included angle results in an intensitydistribution 141 with lobes 142-DR, 142-DL (or 142-IR, 142-IL) locatedat relatively smaller angles compared to lobes 142-DR, 142-DL (or142-IR, 142-IL) of the intensity distribution 141 that results for asecond included angle larger than the first angle. In this manner, lightcan be extracted from the luminaire module 301 in a more forwarddirection for the smaller of two included angles formed by the portionsof the redirecting surface 342, 344.

Furthermore, while redirecting surfaces 342 and 344 are depicted asplanar surfaces, other shapes are also possible. For example, thesesurfaces can be curved or faceted. Curved redirecting surfaces 342 and344 can be used to narrow or widen the beam. Depending of the divergenceof the angular range of the light that is received at the input end ofthe optical extractor 332′, concave redirecting surfaces 342, 344 cannarrow the lobes 142-DR, 142-DL (or 142-IR, 142-IL) output by theoptical extractor 340 (and illustrated in FIG. 2B), while convexredirecting surfaces 342, 344 can widen the lobes 142-DR, 142-DL (or142-IR, 142-IL) output by the optical extractor 340. As such, suitablyconfigured redirecting surfaces 342, 344 may introduce convergence ordivergence into the light. Such surfaces can have a constant radius ofcurvature, can be parabolic, hyperbolic, or have some other curvature.

Luminaire module 301 as described in context of FIG. 3A may be used inthe illumination devices described below in connection with FIGS. 4A-4Band 6A-6B.

FIGS. 3B and 3D show that for a cross-sectional plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the luminaire module 301,the 343 redirecting surface as described in this specification (see FIG.3A) can have an apex 341 that may separate the first and second portionsof the redirecting surface 342, 344. It should be noted that the apex341 of the redirecting surface can be a rounded vertex with a non-zeroradius of curvature. In the example implementations shown in FIGS. 3Band 3D, the first and second portions of the redirecting surface 342,344 can have first and second arcuate shapes in the cross-sectionalplane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of theluminaire module 301. For example, the first and second portions of theredirecting surface 342, 344 can be parabolic, hyperbolic, or can haveconstant curvatures different from each other. Moreover, curvatures ofthe first and second portions of the redirecting surface 342, 344 can beboth negative (e.g., convex with respect to a direction of propagationof light from the input end of the extractor to the redirecting surface343), can be both positive (e.g., concave with respect to thepropagation direction), or one can be positive (convex) and the otherone can be negative (concave).

FIG. 3E shows that, for a cross-sectional plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the luminaire module 301,the redirecting surface 343 can be shaped as an arc of a circle,ellipse, parabola or other curve. In this case, the first and secondportions of the redirecting surface 342, 344 represent first and secondportions of the arc of the circle. In the example implementationillustrated in FIG. 3E, a curvature of the redirecting surface 343 isnegative (e.g., convex with respect to a direction of propagation oflight from the input end of the extractor to the redirecting surface343).

FIG. 3C shows that, for a cross-sectional plane substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the luminaire module 301,either of the first and second portions of the redirecting surface 342,344 can have one or more apexes, in addition to the apex 341 thatseparates the redirecting surface 342, 344. For example, the firstportion of the redirecting surface 342 can have an apex 3411 thatseparates the first portion of the redirecting surface 342 in at leasttwo regions thereof. The regions of the first portion of the redirectingsurface 342 separated by the apex 3411 can have linear or arcuateshapes. The two regions of the first portion of the redirecting surface342 can reflect the light received from the input end of the extractor332′ in two different angular sub-ranges, different from each other. Inthis manner, light provided by the first portion of the redirectingsurface 342 is output at the output surface 346 as two intensity lobesthat can be manipulated differently, e.g., to illuminate differenttargets. As another example, the second portion of the redirectingsurface 344 can have an apex 3444 that separates the second portion ofthe redirecting surface 344 in at least two regions thereof.

FIG. 3F shows that, in some implementations, the first and secondportions of the redirecting surface 342, 344 can be separated, at leastin part, by a slot 345, in general a suitably formed aperture. FIG. 3Gshows that, in some implementations, either the first and secondportions of the redirecting surface 342, 344 can include one or moreslots 3455′, 3455″. Each of the slots 345, 3455′, 3455″ may but does notneed to extend along the entire longitudinal extension of the luminairemodule 301. Such a slot can represent an opening in a coating providinga reflecting layer of the redirecting surface 343 and is configured toallow a portion of light received from the input end of the extractor totransmit through the slot 345 of the redirecting surface 343. FIG. 3Fshows that, for a cross-sectional plane substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal dimension of the luminaire module 301 which intersectsthe slot 345, first and second curves corresponding to the first andsecond portions of the redirecting surface 342, 344 are separated by adiscontinuity. Moreover, FIG. 3G shows that, for a cross-sectional planesubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension the luminairemodule 301 which intersects the slots 3455′, 3455″, first and secondcurves corresponding to the first and second portions of the redirectingsurface 342, 344 include one or more discontinuities associated with theslots 3455′, 3455″.

In addition, the curves corresponding to each of the cross-sectionalplanes illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3G can have different shapes anddifferent discontinuities in other cross-sectional planes along thelongitudinal dimension of the luminaire module 301. In general,different cross-sections of a redirecting surface 343 can have differentcombinations of disjoint or joined piecewise differentiable curves.

Moreover, the shape of output surfaces 346 and 348 of the opticalextractor 340 can vary too, and thus, the output surfaces 346 and 348can steer and shape the beam of light. For example, the radius ofcurvature of these surfaces can be selected so that the surfacesintroduce a desired amount of convergence into the light. Asphericsurfaces can also be used. Similar properties noted above in connectionwith FIGS. 3B-3G regarding contours of the redirecting surface 343 ofthe extractor 340 in cross-sectional planes substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal dimension of the luminaire module 301 apply tocontours of the output surfaces 346, 348 of the extractor 340 in suchcross-sectional planes.

In general, the choices of apexes described in FIGS. 3B-3G may providean additional degree of freedom for modifying the (direct or indirect orboth) intensity distribution (e.g., illumination pattern) of the lightoutput by the illumination devices 400 and 600. In general, theluminaire module 301 may be iteratively modified (in spatial shape ofreflective surfaces, index of refraction of solid material, spectrum ofemitted or guided light etc.) to provide a predetermined outputillumination distribution.

In general, the geometry of the elements can be established using avariety of methods. For example, the geometry can be establishedempirically. Alternatively, or additionally, the geometry can beestablished using optical simulation software, such as Lighttools™,Tracepro™, FRED™ or Zemax™, for example.

In general, luminaire modules can include other features useful fortailoring the intensity profile. For example, in some implementations,luminaire modules can include an optically diffuse material thatscatters light, thereby homogenizing the luminaire module's intensityprofile. For example, redirecting surfaces 342 and 344 can be roughed ora diffusely reflecting material, rather than a specular reflectivematerial, can be coated on these surfaces. Accordingly, the opticalinterfaces at redirecting surfaces 342 and 344 can diffusely reflectlight, scattering light into broader lobes that would be provided bysimilar structures utilizing specular reflection at these interfaces. Insome implementations these surfaces can include structure thatfacilitates various intensity distribution. For example, redirectingsurfaces 342 and 344 can each have multiple planar facets at differingorientations. Accordingly, each facet will reflect light into differentdirections. In some implementations, redirecting surfaces 342 and 344can have structure thereon (e.g., structural features that scatter ordiffract light).

In certain implementations, a light scattering material can be disposedon output surfaces 346 and 348 of optical extractor 340. Alternatively,or additionally, output surfaces 346 and 348 need not be surfaces havinga constant radius of curvature. For example, output surfaces 346 and 348can include portions having differing curvature and/or can havestructure thereon (e.g., structural features that scatter or diffractlight).

(vi) Example of an Illumination Device Used to Provide Direct and/orIndirect Illumination

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a sectional view and a perspective view,respectively, of an illumination device 400 used to provide directand/or indirect illumination on both right and left sides of theillumination device 400. In this example, the illumination device 400 issupported by a ceiling 180 through support suspension system 408, 408′.The coordinate system is oriented relative to the illumination device400 such that light output by the illumination device 400 in each ofdirect angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′ has a prevalent propagationdirection with a non-zero component that is parallel to the z-axis, andin each of indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′ has a prevalentpropagation direction with a non-zero component that is antiparallel tothe z-axis. The illumination device 400 provides direct and indirectillumination to a target surface (not illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B),which is spaced apart from the illumination device 400 in the positivedirection of the z-axis.

The illumination device 400 includes a mount 410 that is elongated alongthe y-axis and supports a direct portion 401 a and an indirect portion401 b of the illumination device 400. Here, the direct portion 401 a ofthe illumination device 400 is referred to as a direct luminaire module401 a, and the indirect portion 401 b of the illumination device 400 isreferred to as an indirect luminaire module 401 b. Both direct andindirect luminaire modules 401 a and 401 b are elongated along they-axis and can be equivalent to or similar with the luminaire module 301described above in connection with FIG. 3A. The direct and indirectluminaire modules 401 a and 401 b are supported by the mount 410 suchthat (i) elongations of the direct and indirect luminaire modules 401 aand 401 b are along the elongation of the mount 410 (in this examplealong the y-axis); (ii) direct illumination is provided to the target bythe illumination device 400 with light output by the direct luminairemodule 401 a in the direct angular ranges 142 a, 142 a′; and (iii)indirect illumination is provided to the target by the illuminationdevice 400 with light output by the indirect luminaire module 401 b inthe indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′.

In this example, the direct luminaire module 401 a includes direct LEEsand direct primary optics arranged inside the mount 410 (and not shownin FIGS. 4A-4B.) Additionally, the direct luminaire module 401 aincludes a direct light guide 430 a and a direct secondary optic 440 a.The direct light guide 430 a is configured to guide light, emitted bythe direct LEEs, from the direct primary optics to the direct secondaryoptic 440 a. In some implementations, the portions of the redirectingsurface and the output surfaces of the direct secondary optic 440 a aresymmetric in an x-z cross-section (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3G, forinstance). In this case, the illumination device 400 outputs light indirect angular ranges 142 a and 142 a′ that are symmetric with respectto a plane parallel to the y-z plane. In other implementations (notshown in FIGS. 4A-4B), the portions of the redirecting surface and theoutput surfaces of the direct secondary optic 440 a can be asymmetric inthe x-z cross-section. In this case, the illumination device 400 outputslight in direct angular ranges 142 a and 142 a′ that are asymmetric withrespect to a plane parallel to the y-z plane. In some asymmetricimplementations, the illumination device may be configured to outputlight only on one side of the y-z plane.

Further in this example, the indirect luminaire module 401 b includesindirect LEEs and indirect primary optics arranged inside the mount 410(and not shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.) Additionally, the indirect luminairemodule 401 b includes an indirect light guide 430 b and an indirectsecondary optic 440 b. The indirect light guide 430 b is configured toguide light, emitted by the indirect LEEs, from the indirect primaryoptics to the indirect secondary optic 440 b. In some implementations,the portions of the redirecting surface and the output surfaces of theindirect secondary optic 440 b are symmetric in an x-z cross-section (asshown in FIGS. 3A-3G, for instance). In this case, the illuminationdevice 400 outputs light in indirect angular ranges 142 b and 142 b′that are symmetric with respect to a plane parallel to the y-z plane. Inother implementations (not shown in FIGS. 4A-4B), the portions of theredirecting surface and the output surfaces of the indirect secondaryoptic 440 b can be asymmetric in the x-z cross-section. In this case,the illumination device 400 outputs light in indirect angular ranges 142b and 142 b′ that are asymmetric with respect to a plane parallel to they-z plane.

In some implementations, the mount 410 supports the direct and indirectluminaire modules 401 a, 401 b to align side faces of the respectivedirect and indirect light guides 430 a, 430 b with each other along aplane parallel with the y-z plane.

In some implementations, the mount 410 can be formed of extrudedaluminum. In some implementations, a width of an x-z cross-section ofthe mount 410 is larger than the x-z cross-section of the direct andindirect light guides 430 a, 430 b. In such a case, the direct andindirect LEEs can be disposed on two opposite sides of a substrateelongated along the y-axis and parallel to the x-y plane, and aheat-sink system can be offset along the x-axis with respect to a y-zplane that includes optical axes of the direct and indirect LEEs. Inother implementations, a width of an x-z cross-section of the mount 410is substantially equal to the x-z cross-section of the direct andindirect light guides 430 a, 430 b, as shown in FIG. 3A, for instance.In such a case, the direct and indirect LEEs can be disposed on twosubstrates elongated along the y-axis, parallel to the x-y plane, andseparated along the z-axis by a space which accommodates a heat-sinksystem. In either of the foregoing implementations, the direct andindirect LEEs can be powered to emit light interdependently (e.g.,concurrently) or independently (e.g., successively) from each other, asdescribed in detail with respect to FIGS. 1B and 2B.

(vii) Illumination Device Used to Provide Direct and/or IndirectIllumination on Right and/or Left Sides of the Illumination Device

FIG. 5A illustrates a block diagram of an illumination device 500 inwhich a Cartesian coordinate system is shown for schematic reference. Inthis example, the coordinate system is oriented relative to theillumination device 500 such that the illumination device 500 canprovide on right and/or left sides thereof direct, indirect or bothdirect and indirect illumination to a target surface in a givenenvironment, when the target surface is spaced apart from theillumination device 500 in the positive direction of the z-axis. In thismanner, the illumination device 500 is configured to illuminate (inaddition to the target surface) a diffusive surface in the givenenvironment, when the diffusive surface is spaced apart from theillumination device 500 in the negative direction of the z-axis. In thisorientation, light output by the illumination device 500 in each of adirect angular range 142 a and an indirect angular range 142 b has arightward prevalent propagation direction with a non-zero component thatis parallel to the x-axis, and in each of a direct angular range 142 a′and an indirect angular range 142 b′ has a leftward prevalentpropagation direction with a non-zero component that is antiparallel tothe x-axis. Hence, the direct angular range 142 a is referred to as therightward direct angular range 142 a and the indirect angular range 142b is referred to as the rightward indirect angular range 142 b, whilethe direct angular range 142 a′ is referred to as the leftward directangular range 142 a′ and the indirect angular range 142 b′ is referredto as the rightward indirect angular range 142 b′.

The illumination device 500 includes a first illumination portion 501 aarranged and configured to output light in the rightward direct angularrange 142 a and in the rightward indirect angular range 142 b; a secondillumination portion 501 b arranged and configured to output light inthe leftward direct angular range 142 a′ and in the leftward indirectangular range 142 b′; and a mount 510. The first and second illuminationportions 501 a and 501 b are supported by the mount 510 such that (i)direct illumination is provided to the target by the illumination device500 with light output by the first illumination portion 501 a in therightward direct angular range 142 a and by the second illuminationportion 501 b in the leftward direct angular range 142 a′; and (ii)indirect illumination is provided to the target by the illuminationdevice 500 with light output by the first illumination portion 501 a inthe rightward indirect angular range 142 b and by the secondillumination portion 501 b in the leftward indirect angular range 142b′.

According to some implementations the illumination device 500 may beconfigured to provide light in only one of the direct angular ranges 142a, 142 a′ and one of the indirect angular ranges 142 b, 142 b′ orcombinations thereof. Example combinations include {142 a and 142 b},{142 a′ and 142 b′}, {142 a′ and 142 b}, {142 a and 142 b′}, {142 a and142 a′ and 142 b}, and so forth.

An example implementation of the illumination device 500 is describedbelow in connection with FIGS. 6A-6B. Example implementations of thefirst and/or second illumination portions 501 a, 501 b are describedabove in connection with FIGS. 3A-3G.

(vii-a) First Illumination Portion of the Illumination Device

The first illumination portion 501 a includes one or more first LEEs 512a disposed on a first surface of the mount 510, one or more firstprimary optics 520 a (e.g., first optical couplers), an optional firstlight guide 530 a, and a first secondary optic 540 a (e.g., firstoptical extractor). The first LEEs 512 a emit light, during operation,in a first angular range 115 a with respect to their optical axes, whichcan coincide with a normal to the first surface of the mount 510 (e.g.,antiparallel to the x-axis). For example, a divergence of the firstangular range 115 a of the light emitted by the first LEEs 512 a can be150°-180° around optical axes of the first LEEs 512 a. This maycorrespond with an illumination pattern with a full width half maximumof 30°, for example. The first primary optics 520 a receive light in thefirst angular range 115 a from the first LEEs 512 a. Each first primaryoptic 520 a is configured to redirect the light received in the firstangular range 115 a into a light with a second angular range 125 a anddirect it into a first end of first light guide 530 a. For example, adivergence of the second angular range 125 a of the light provided bythe first primary optics 520 a can be between about 40 to about 80°.When the first light guide 530 a is not part of the first illuminationportion 501 a, the first primary optics 520 a redirect the light withthe second angular range 125 a towards the first secondary optic 540 a.The first light guide 530 a can guide the light to a distal end of thefirst light guide 530 a away from first LEEs 512 a. The first lightguide 530 a provides the guided light at the distal end in a thirdangular range 135 a. In some implementations, the first light guide 530a can be shaped to guide the light received from the first primaryoptics 520 a in the second angular range 125 a and to provide the guidedlight in substantially the same second angular range (angular range 135a≈angular range 125 a) at the output end of the first light guide 530 a.The first secondary optic 540 a receives light with third angular range135 a that exits end of the first light guide 530 a or, when the firstlight guide 530 a is not part of the first illumination portion 501 a,the first secondary optic 540 a receives the light with second angularrange 125 a provided by the first primary optics 520 a. The firstsecondary optic 540 a redirects light received from the first primaryoptics 520 a or the first light guide 530 a to exit the firstillumination portion 501 a (indicated by arrows) with a rightward directangular range 142 a and a rightward indirect angular range 142 b. Thefirst secondary optic 540 a includes redirecting surfaces as describedabove in connection with FIGS. 3A-3G. The rightward direct angular range142 a and rightward indirect angular range 142 b at which light exitsthe first secondary optic 540 a can depend on the properties of firstsecondary optic 540 a (e.g., geometry of the optical interfaces andoptical properties of the materials forming the first secondary optic540 a).

(vii-b) Second Illumination Portion of the Illumination Device

The second illumination portion 501 b includes one or more second LEEs512 b disposed on a second surface of the mount 510, one or more secondprimary optics 520 b (e.g., second optical couplers), an optional secondlight guide 530 b, and a second secondary optic 540 b (e.g., secondoptical extractor). The second LEEs 512 b emit light, during operation,in a first angular range 115 b with respect to their optical axes, whichcan coincide with a normal to the second surface of the mount 510 (e.g.,parallel to the x-axis). For example, a divergence of the first angularrange 115 b of the light emitted by the second LEEs 512 b can be150°-180° around optical axes of the second LEEs 512 b. This maycorrespond with an illumination pattern with a full width half maximumof 30°, for example. The second primary optics 520 b receive light inthe first angular range 115 b from the second LEEs 512 b. Each secondprimary optic 520 b is configured to redirect the light received in thefirst angular range 115 b into a light with a second angular range 125 band direct it into a first end of second light guide 530 b. For example,a divergence of the second angular range 125 b of the light provided bythe second primary optics 520 b can be between about 40 to about 80°.When the second light guide 530 b is not part of the second illuminationportion 501 b, the second primary optics 520 b redirect the light withthe second angular range 125 b towards the second secondary optic 540 b.The second light guide 530 b can guide the light to a distal end of thesecond light guide 530 b away from second LEEs 512 b. The second lightguide 530 b provides the guided light at the distal end in a thirdangular range 135 b. In some implementations, the second light guide 530b can be shaped to guide the light received from the second primaryoptics 520 b in the second angular range 125 b and to provide the guidedlight in substantially the same second angular range (angular range 135b≈angular range 125 b) at the output end of the second light guide 530b. The second secondary optic 540 b receives light with third angularrange 135 b that exits end of the second light guide 530 b or, when thesecond light guide 530 b is not part of the second illumination portion501 b, the second secondary optic 540 b receives the light with secondangular range 125 b provided by the second primary optics 520 b. Thesecond secondary optic 540 b redirects light received from the secondprimary optics 520 b or the second light guide 530 b to exit the secondillumination portion 501 b (indicated by arrows) with a leftward directangular range 142 a′ and a leftward indirect angular range 142 b′. Thesecond secondary optic 540 b includes redirecting surfaces as describedabove in connection with FIGS. 3A-3G. The leftward direct angular range142 a′ and leftward indirect angular range 142 b′ at which light exitsthe second secondary optic 540 b can depend on the properties of secondsecondary optic 540 b (e.g., geometry of the optical interfaces andoptical properties of the materials forming the second secondary optic540 b).

(viii) Both Direct and Indirect Illumination Provided on Right and/orLeft Sides of the Illumination Device

The illumination device 500 allows a user to interdependently as well asindependently power the first and second LEEs 512 a, 512 b. Forinstance, the intensity profile 141 illustrated in FIG. 1B correspondsto an intensity profile output by the illumination device 500 when boththe first and second LEEs 512 a, 512 b are powered ON. Referring to FIG.1B, lobes 142-DR and 142-IR of the light intensity profile 141 representdirect and indirect light output by the illumination device 500 to theright-side of the x-z cross-section of the illumination device 500 andrespectively correspond to rightward direct angular range 142 a andrightward indirect angular range 142 b. Lobes 142-DL and 142-IL of thelight intensity profile 141 represent direct and indirect light outputby the illumination device 150 to the left-side of the x-z cross-sectionof the illumination device 150 and respectively correspond to leftwarddirect angular range 142 a′ and leftward indirect angular range 142 b′.

FIG. 5B shows two instances of a light intensity profile of theillumination device 500. It is noted that contrary to a typical farfield polar plot representation, the center of the intensity profilesfor the illustrated lobes are offset to correspond with the notionalorigin of the direct angular ranges 142 a, 142 b and the indirectangular ranges 142 a′, 142 b′ illustrated in FIG. 6A, for example. Afirst instance 141-R of the light intensity profile corresponds to theillumination device 500 having the first LEEs 512 a powered ON and thesecond LEEs 512 b powered OFF (or dimmed with respect to the first LEEs512 a). In this first instance, lobes 142-DR and 142-IR of the lightintensity profile 141-R represent direct and indirect light output bythe illumination device 500 to the right side of the x-z cross-sectionof the illumination device 500 and respectively correspond to rightwarddirect angular range 142 a and rightward indirect angular range 142 b. Asecond instance 141-L of the light intensity profile corresponds to theillumination device 500 having the second LEEs 512 b powered ON and thefirst LEEs 512 a powered OFF (or dimmed with respect to the second LEEs512 b). In this second instance, lobes 142-DL and 142-IL of the lightintensity profile 141-L represent direct and indirect light output bythe illumination device 500 to the left side of the x-z cross-section ofthe illumination device 500 and respectively correspond to leftwarddirect angular range 142 a′ and leftward indirect angular range 142 b′.

(ix) Example of Illumination Device Used to Provide Both Direct andIndirect Illumination on Right and/or Left Sides of the IlluminationDevice

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a sectional view and a perspective view,respectively, of an illumination device 600 used to provide both directand indirect illumination on right and/or left sides of the illuminationdevice 600. In this example, the illumination device 600 has an elongateconfiguration and is supported by a ceiling 180 through supportsuspension system 608, 608′. The coordinate system is oriented relativeto the illumination device 600 such that light output by theillumination device 600 in each of rightward direct angular range 142 aand rightward indirect angular range 142 b has a prevalent propagationdirection with a non-zero component that is parallel to the x-axis, andin each of leftward direct angular range 142 a′ and leftward indirectangular range 142 b′ has a prevalent propagation direction with anon-zero component that is antiparallel to the x-axis. The illuminationdevice 600 provides direct and indirect illumination to a target surface(not illustrated in FIGS. 6A, 6B), which is spaced apart from theillumination device 600 in the positive direction of the z-axis.

The illumination device 600 includes a mount 610 that is elongated alongthe y-axis and supports a first portion 601 a and a second portion 601 bof the illumination device 600. The first portion 601 a of theillumination device 600 is referred to as a first luminaire module 601a, and the second portion 601 b of the illumination device 600 isreferred to as a second luminaire module 601 b. Both first and secondluminaire modules 601 a and 601 b are elongated and can be equivalent toor similar with the luminaire module 301 described above in connectionwith FIG. 3A. The first and second luminaire modules 601 a and 601 b aresupported by the mount 610 such that (i) elongations of the first andsecond luminaire modules 601 a and 601 b are along the elongation of themount (in this example along the y-axis); (ii) direct illumination isprovided to the target by the illumination device 600 with light outputby the first luminaire module 601 a in the rightward direct angularrange 142 a and by the second luminaire module 601 b in the leftwarddirect angular range 142 a′; and (iii) indirect illumination is providedto the target by the illumination device 600 with light output by thefirst luminaire module 601 a in the rightward indirect angular range 142b and by the second luminaire module 601 b in the leftward indirectangular range 142 b′.

In this example, the first luminaire module 601 a includes first LEEsand first primary optics arranged inside the mount 610 (and not shown inFIGS. 6A-6B.) Additionally, the first luminaire module 601 a includes afirst light guide 630 a and a first secondary optic 640 a. The firstlight guide 630 a is configured to guide light, emitted by the firstLEEs, from the first primary optics to the first secondary optic 640 a.In some implementations, the portions of the redirecting surface and theoutput surfaces of the first secondary optic 440 a are asymmetric in thex-z cross-section. In this case, the illumination device 600 outputslight in rightward direct angular range 142 a and rightward indirectangular range 142 b that are asymmetric with respect to a plane parallelto the x-y plane. In some asymmetric implementations, the firstluminaire module 601 a may be configured to provide only direct or onlyindirect illumination (not illustrated). In other implementations (notshown in FIGS. 6A-6B), the portions of the redirecting surface and theoutput surfaces of the first secondary optic 640 a can be symmetric inan x-z cross-section (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3G, for instance). In thiscase, the illumination device 600 outputs light in the rightward directangular range 142 a and the rightward indirect angular range 142 b thatis symmetric with respect to a plane parallel to the x-y plane.

Further in this example, the second luminaire module 601 b includessecond LEEs and second primary optics arranged inside the mount 610 (andnot shown in FIGS. 6A-6B.) Additionally, the second luminaire module 601b includes a second light guide 630 b and a second secondary optic 640b. The second light guide 630 b is configured to guide light, emitted bythe second LEEs, from the second primary optics to the second secondaryoptic 640 b. In some implementations, the portions of the redirectingsurface and the output surfaces of the second secondary optic 640 b canbe asymmetric in the x-z cross-section. In this case, the illuminationdevice 600 outputs light in leftward direct angular range 142 a′ andleftward indirect angular range 142 b′ that are asymmetric with respectto a plane parallel to the x-y plane. In some asymmetricimplementations, the second luminaire module 601 b may be configured toprovide only direct or only indirect illumination (not illustrated). Inother implementations (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6B), the portions of theredirecting surface and the output surfaces of the second secondaryoptic 640 b are symmetric in an x-z cross-section (as shown in FIGS.3A-3G, for instance). In this case, the illumination device 600 outputslight in the leftward direct angular range 142 a′ and the leftwardindirect angular range 142 b′ that is symmetric with respect to a planeparallel to the x-y plane.

In some implementations, the mount 610 supports the first and secondluminaire modules 601 a, 601 b to align side faces of the respectivefirst and second light guides 630 a, 630 b with each other along a planeparallel with the x-y plane.

In some implementations, the mount 610 can be formed of extrudedaluminum. In some implementations, a width of an x-z cross-section ofthe mount 610 is larger than the width of the x-z cross-section of thefirst and second light guides 630 a, 630 b. In this case, first andsecond LEEs can be disposed on two opposite sides of a substrateelongated along the y-axis and parallel to the y-z plane, and aheat-sink system can be offset along the z-axis with respect to an x-yplane that includes optical axes of the first and second LEEs. In otherimplementations, a width of an x-z cross-section of the mount 610 issubstantially equal to the width of the x-z cross-section of the firstand second light guides 630 a, 630 b, as shown in FIG. 3A, for instance.In this case, the first and second LEEs can be disposed on twosubstrates elongated along the y-axis, parallel to the y-z plane, andseparated along the x-axis by a space which accommodates a heat-sinksystem. In either of the foregoing implementations, the first and secondLEEs can be powered to emit light interdependently (e.g., concurrently)or independently (e.g., successively) from each other, as described indetail with respect to FIGS. 1B and 5B.

(x) General Aspects of Direct/Indirect (201 a/201 b) and/or First/Second(501 a/501 b) Illumination Portion of the Illumination Device

Properties of the direct/indirect 201 a/201 b or first/second 501 a/501b illumination portion can be tailored to provide extraction profilesdesirable for specific lighting applications. It is noted that theangular ranges may be defined relative to one or more directions orplanes, for example the z-axis, a plane perpendicular to x or otherdirection whether parallel, perpendicular or oblique to axes of aCartesian coordinate system. In general, the components ofdirect/indirect 201 a/201 b or first/second 501 a/501 b illuminationportion are arranged to redirect light emitted from the LEEs away fromthe LEEs before the light is emitted into the ambient environment. Thespatial separation of the place of generation of the light, alsoreferred to as the physical (light) source, from the place of extractionof the light, also referred to as the virtual light source or virtualfilament, can facilitate design of the illumination device 200/500. Forexample, in some implementations, the virtual light source/filament canbe configured to provide substantially non-isotropic light emission withrespect to planes parallel to an optical axis of the illumination device200/500 (for example the z-axis.) In contrast, a typical incandescentfilament generally emits substantially isotropically distributed amountsof light. The virtual light source may be viewed as one or more portionsof space from which substantial amounts of light appear to emanate.Furthermore, separating the LEEs, with their predetermined optical,thermal, electrical and mechanical constraints, from the place of lightextraction, may facilitate a greater degree of design freedom of theoptical system of the illumination device 200/500 and allows for anextended optical path, which can permit a predetermined level of lightmixing before light is output from the illumination device 200/500.

In general, direct/indirect 201 a/201 b or first/second 501 a/501 billumination portion is configured to emit direct/indirect lightoriginating from corresponding LEEs. The LEEs may be organic orinorganic light-emitting diodes or a combination thereof.

In general, the illumination device 200/500 is configured to generatelight of a desired chromaticity. In many applications, illuminationdevice 200/500 is configured to provide broadband light. Broadband lightcan be generated using nominally white or off-white LEEs or colored LEEswhose emissions are mixed to provide white light. Alternatively, oradditionally, white light can be generated using an LEE configured toemit pump light (e.g., blue, violet or ultra-violet light) inconjunction with a wavelength conversion material. For example, incertain implementations, LEEs include GaN-based pump LEDs with anoverlying phosphor layer (e.g., YAG) that creates yellow, red and/orgreen components to produce white light. Such phosphor conversion LEDscan be included in different configurations in some implementations. Forexample, some implementations can include 3000 K CCT white LEEs and 2700K white LEEs that can be independently controlled to maintain a desiredCCT between about 2700 K and about 3000 K to mitigate ageing effects,drift or other effects, or to allow a user to vary the CCT within arespective CCT range.

In some implementations, the illumination device 200/500 may beconfigured to provide colored light (e.g., yellow, red, green, bluelight). Different LEEs in the illumination device 200/500 can beconfigured to emit nominally different light under operating conditions,for example yellow, red, green, blue, white or other color light.

In general, relatively energy efficient LEEs can be used. For example,LEEs can have an output efficiency of about 50 lm/W or more (e.g., about75 lm/W or more, about 100 lm/W, about 125 lm/W or more, about 150 lm/Wor more). In certain implementations, LEEs conduct current greater thanabout 350 mA (e.g., 75 mA, 100 mA, 200 mA, 400 mA or more, 450 mA ormore, 500 mA or more). LEEs may be surface mount devices.

The number of LEEs in an illumination device 200/500 can vary. In someimplementations, the illumination device 200/500 can include relativelyfew LEEs (e.g., 10 or fewer). In some implementations, the illuminationdevice 200/500 can include a large number of LEEs (e.g., 100 or more).In many applications, however, the illumination device 200/500 includesbetween 4 and 100 LEEs.

Each of the optical couplers is configured to receive light from one ormore of the LEEs through an entrance aperture of the optical coupler. Inimplementations that feature multiple optical couplers, they may beintegrally formed. Each optical coupler can be configured to provide apredetermined amount of light at an exit aperture of the opticalcoupler. For this purpose, each optical coupler is optically coupledwith the corresponding LEEs and the light guide. Adjacent opticalcouplers may be optically isolated or optically coupled to control crosstalk and/or collimation of light or other functions in one or moreplanes parallel to the optical axes of the optical couplers or in otherdirections.

The optical couplers are configured to allow coupling of a predeterminedamount of light from one or more of the LEEs into the optical couplersand a predetermined amount of that light is provided at the exitapertures of the optical couplers. Each optical coupler is configured totransform light as it interacts with the optical coupler between theentrance aperture and the exit aperture. Such transformations, alsoreferred to as conditioning, may be regarded as transformations of thephase space of light including collimation of light (e.g. causing areduction of the divergence of the coupled light) or othertransformations, and/or preservation of etendue, light flux and/or otherparameters, for example. In some implementations, the optical couplersare configured to provide light with predetermined properties to controllight losses in other components of the illumination device, includingone or more of the light guide, extractor or other components of theillumination device 200/500. For example, the optical couplers may beconfigured so that substantially all light provided thereby canpropagate through the light guide to the optical extractor, has lessthan a predetermined divergence, is injected into the light guide atsuitable angles relative to the optical interfaces of the light guide orhas other properties.

Optical couplers can include one or more optical elements includingnon-imaging dielectric TIR concentrators, such as CPC (compoundparabolic concentrators), CECs (compound elliptical concentrators), CHC(compound hyperbolic concentrators), tapered or untapered portions,light pipes, segmented concentrators, other geometry concentrators, oneor more lenses or other optical elements, for example. In someimplementations, optical couplers and LEEs are integrally formed as asingle component.

The illumination device 200/500 may include a number of optical couplerswith the same or different configuration. Optical couplers may haveequal or different profiles or cross sections in different directions.In some implementations, optical couplers may have varyingconfigurations depending on their location within a cluster or group ofoptical couplers. For example, optical couplers proximate the ends of anelongate illumination device may be configured with properties differentfrom those of optical couplers near the center of the illuminationdevice. Like considerations may apply in implementations in which theoptical couplers are disposed in clusters proximate an optical axis. Forexample, optical couplers proximate the periphery of a cluster may beconfigured with properties different from those proximate the opticalaxis. An optical coupler may have rotationally symmetric and/orasymmetric cross sections, for example it may have parabolic,elliptical, circular, hyperbolic, triangular, square, rectangular,hexagonal or other regular or irregular polygonal or other crosssections.

A portion or all of the optical coupler may be made of a solidtransparent body configured to propagate light internally and solely,partially or not at all, depending on whether a specular reflectivecoating is employed on the outside of the solid transparent body, relyon TIR, or may be configured to provide a through hole that is partiallyor fully reflectively coated on one or more optical surfaces. Likeconsideration may apply to the light guide, the optical extractors orother components of the illumination device, for example. Depending onthe implementation, one or more optical couplers may be configured ashollow, reflectively coated non-imaging optical couplers. One or more ofthe optical couplers may include a dielectric collimating opticconfigured to provide a predetermined collimation angle. The collimationangle may be determined by the length and/or shape of respectivesurfaces of the optical coupler, for example. An optical coupler may beconfigured to provide substantially equal collimation about an opticalaxis in rotationally symmetrical configurations or may provide differentcollimation in different directions with respect to an optical plane ofthe optical coupler and/or other component of the illumination device,for example.

In general, a light guide can have a generally regular or irregularprismatic, cylindrical, cuboid or other shape and include one or morelight guide elements. Light guide elements may be arranged in a line ora cluster that may or may not allow light to transmit between lightguide elements. Light guide elements may be arranged in parallel withone light guide element for each coupler. Such configurations may beintegrally formed. Multiple light guide elements may be arranged in acluster, the light guide elements of the cluster coupling light into oneor more extractors. Multiple light guide elements may be disposedabutting one another or placed apart at predetermined distances. Thelight guide and/or one or more light guide elements may be integrallyformed, modularly configured, arranged and/or durably disposed via asuitably configured interconnect system during manufacture,installation, servicing or other event.

The light guide and/or one or more light guide elements may beconfigured to have one or more substantially reflective surfacesdefining one or more mantles that extend from a first end to a secondend of the light guide for enclosing and enabling optical confinementproximate an optical axis or optical plane along which the light guidecan guide light with below predetermined light losses. One or moresurfaces of the mantle may be substantially parallel, tapered orotherwise arranged. Such surfaces may be substantially flat or curved.Generally, the light guide can have elongate or non-elongate crosssection with respect to an axes or planes of the illumination device.Non-elongate light guides may be rotationally or otherwise symmetricabout an optical axis.

The light guide is configured to guide light from the one or moreoptical couplers via its optical surfaces, by total internal reflection(TIR) and/or specular reflection. Mixing of the light in the light guideelements may be achieved in part by the shape of the optical surfaces.The light guide may be configured to intermix light from differentdirect LEEs. In some implementations, the light guide is configured tomix light and to provide light with a predetermined uniformity in colorand/or illuminance to the optical extractor.

In some implementations, the light guide has a hollow configurationhaving reflective optical surfaces on its inside that transmit lightalong the length of the hollow with predetermined light-loss properties.The reflectivity of the reflective optical surfaces may originate fromor be enhanced by reflective coatings, films, layers or other reflectiveaids. The composition of and manner in which such reflective coatingsmay be disposed and/or manufactured would be readily known by a personskilled in the art.

An optical extractor is disposed at an end of the light guide oppositethe optical coupler and includes one or more reflective interfaces thatare configured to redirect light from the light guide outward away fromthe optical axis of the light guide towards and through one or morelight-exit surfaces of the optical extractor into the ambient. Dependingon the implementation, the directions of propagation of the emittedlight may be parallel, antiparallel and/or oblique, that is backwardand/or forward, with respect to the optical axis of the light guide.

The optical extractor may be configured to emit one or more beams oflight with predetermined intensity distributions (i.e., into specificranges of solid angles). For example, different intensity distributionsmay be provided via different light-exit surfaces, for example on eitherside of an elongate optical extractor. The optical extractor and/or oneor more portions thereof from which light appears to emanate underoperating conditions may be referred to as a virtual light source.Depending on the implementations, the virtual light source can have anelongate or non-elongate configuration. The one or more beams may besymmetric or asymmetric with respect to the illumination device 200/500.A non-elongate configuration may have rotational symmetry about anoptical axis. The intensity distributions or one or more portionsthereof may be configured to limit glare by limiting direct downwardlighting to predetermined levels, for example.

In some implementations, the intensity distribution of the opticalextractor, at least in part, may be determined by the configuration anddisposition of the reflective interfaces relative to the light-exitsurfaces of the optical extractor. The optical extractor may include oneor more reflective interfaces having one or more flat or curved shapesincluding parabolic, hyperbolic, circular, elliptical or other shapes.In certain implementations, the optical extractor includes one or morereflective coatings to redirect light and provide a desired emissionpattern. The reflective interface may have a linear, convex, concave,hyperbolic, linear segmented or other cross section shaped as aplurality of potentially disjoint, piecewise differentiable curves, inorder to achieve a predetermined emission pattern. In general, theoptical extractor may provide symmetrical or asymmetrical beamdistributions with respect to an optical axis or optical plane thereof.In elongate implementations the cross sections of reflective interfacesand/or light-exit surfaces may change along an elongate extensionthereof. Such variations may be stepwise or continuous. For instance,the reflective interface of the optical extractor may have a first crosssection shaped as a plurality of potentially disjoint, piecewisedifferentiable first curves, and a second cross section at a differentlocation along the elongate extension of the reflective interface, suchthat the second cross section is shaped as a different plurality ofpotentially disjoint, piecewise differentiable second curves.

In certain implementations, the reflective optical interfaces may have asymmetrical or asymmetrical v-shaped or other cross section. A v-shapedcross section may also be referred to as a v-groove in elongateimplementations or a conical cavity in non-elongate implementations. Asused herein, the term “v-groove” refers to the v-shaped cross-sectionthrough the reflective optical interfaces, but does not require that theoptical extractor include an actual groove. For example, in someimplementations, the optical extractor includes two portions of solidmaterial that meet at a v-shaped interface. Such an interface is alsoreferred to as a v-groove. Depending on the implementation, a v-groovemay have substantially equal cross section along a length of the opticalextractor or it may vary depending on the position along the elongateextension. The first apex formed by such v-shaped reflective interfacesmay be generally directed towards the light guide. In addition, thesides forming the v-groove may have linear cross-sections, or may benon-linear (e.g., curved or faceted). Moreover, the first apex of thereflective optical interfaces can be a rounded vertex (or apex) with anon-zero radius of curvature.

Generally, the optical extractor can be integrally or modularly formedwith the light guide. The optical extractor may be formed of one or morematerials equal, similar or dissimilar to that of the light guide andinclude one or more different materials. Depending on theimplementation, the optical extractor may be configured to redirectlight via TIR, specular and/or diffuse reflection, for example, via adielectric or metallic mirror surface, refraction and/or otherwise. Theoptical extractor may include one or more coatings including one or morefilms of suitable dielectric, metallic, wavelength conversion materialor other material. Depending on the implementation, a modularly formedoptical extractor and light guide may include or be interconnected withsuitable connectors for durable interconnection and optionalregistration during manufacture, assembly, service or other event.Different modular optical extractors may have different configurationsto provide different lighting properties. To improve optical and/ormechanical performance, a coupling between the optical extractor and thelight guide may be established by employing one or more suitablytransparent compounds with predetermined refractive indices. Suchcompounds may include at least initially fluid substances such assilicone or other curable or non-curable substances. Such substances mayprovide an adhesive function.

Each of the light-exit surfaces and/or the reflective interfaces of theoptical extractor may include one or more segments, each having apredetermined shape including convex, concave, planar or other shape.Shapes of the light-exit surface and/or the reflective interfaces can bedetermined to provide predetermined levels of light extraction via theoptical extractor and to limit light losses due to back reflectionand/or absorption of light within the optical extractor.

The term “optical axis” is used herein to refer to an imaginary linethat defines a path along or proximate which light propagates. Anoptical axis may correlate with one or more axes or planes of symmetryof components of an optical system or apparatus. A plurality of opticalaxes that refer to a planar or non-planar notional surface may bereferred to herein as an optical plane. The term “rotational symmetry”is used herein, as the case may be, to refer to invariance underdiscrete or continuous rotation.

The term “light-emitting element” (LEE), also referred to as a lightemitter, is used to define any device that emits radiation in one ormore regions of the electromagnetic spectrum from among the visibleregion, the infrared region and/or the ultraviolet region, whenactivated. Activation of an LEE can be achieved by applying a potentialdifference across components of the LEE or passing a current throughcomponents of the LEE, for example. A light-emitting element can havemonochromatic, quasi-monochromatic, polychromatic or broadband spectralemission characteristics. Examples of light-emitting elements includesemiconductor, organic, polymer/polymeric light-emitting diodes (e.g.,organic light-emitting diodes, OLEDs), other monochromatic,quasi-monochromatic or other light-emitting elements. Furthermore, theterm light-emitting element is used to refer to the specific device thatemits the radiation, for example a LED die, and can equally be used torefer to a combination of the specific device that emits the radiation(e.g., a LED die) together with a housing or package within which thespecific device or devices are placed. Examples of light emittingelements include also lasers and more specifically semiconductor lasers,such as vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and edgeemitting lasers. Further examples include superluminescent diodes andother superluminescent devices.

The term “light-converting material” (LCM), also referred to as“wavelength-conversion material” is used herein to define a materialthat absorbs photons according to a first spectral distribution andemits photons according to a second spectral distribution. The termslight conversion, wavelength conversion and/or color conversion are usedaccordingly. Light-converting material may be referred to asphotoluminescent or color-converting material, for example.Light-converting materials may include photoluminescent substances,fluorescent substances, phosphors, quantum dots, semiconductor-basedoptical converters, or the like. Light-converting materials may includerare earth or other materials including, for example, Ce, Yt, Te, Eu andother rare earth elements, Ce:YAG, TAG, nitride, oxynitride, silicate,CdSe quantum dot material, AlInGaP quantum dot material. As used herein,an LCM is typically configured to generate longer wavelength light frompump light such as visible light or ultraviolet pump light, for example.Different LCM may have different first and/or second spectraldistributions.

As used herein, the term “optical interface” refers to the interfacebetween two media having different optical properties. Examples ofoptical interfaces include a surface of an optical element (i.e., theinterface between the medium forming the optical element and the ambientatmosphere), the interface between adjacent optical elements, and theinterface between an optical element and a coating disposed on theelements surface.

As used herein, the term “optical power” (also referred to as dioptricpower, refractive power, focusing power, or convergence power) is thedegree to which a lens, mirror, or other optical system converges ordiverges light.

As used herein, providing light in an “angular range” refers toproviding light that propagates in a prevalent direction and has adivergence with respect to the propagation direction. In this context,the term “prevalent direction of propagation” refers to a directionalong which a portion of an intensity distribution of the propagatinglight has a maximum. For example, the prevalent direction of propagationassociated with the angular range can be an orientation of a lobe of theintensity distribution. Also in this context, the term “divergence”refers to a solid angle outside of which the intensity distribution ofthe propagating light drops below a predefined fraction of a maximum ofthe intensity distribution. For example, the divergence associated withthe angular range can be the width of the lobe of the intensitydistribution. The predefined fraction can be 50%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or othervalues, depending on the lighting application.

An angular range may include (i) a divergence of the angular range and(ii) a prevalent direction of propagation of light in the angular range,where the prevalent direction of propagation corresponds to a directionalong which a portion of an emitted light intensity distribution has amaximum, and the divergence corresponds to a solid angle outside ofwhich the intensity distribution drops below a predefined fraction ofthe maximum of the intensity distribution. E.g., the predefined fractionis 5%.

The terms “collimation” and “collimate” are used herein to refer to thedegree of alignment of rays of light or the act of increasing suchalignment including the reduction of divergence of the propagationdirections of a plurality of light rays, also referred to as a beam oflight, or simply light.

The term “partially collimate” may be understood as that that the lightexiting the optic that performs the partial collimation has a smallerdivergence compared to the light when it entered the optic. The lightmay then be more directed and less spreading. Collimation of the lightmay mean that the light is focused towards infinity. Partial collimationof the light may be understood that as a covered distance of the lightemitted by the optic performing the partial collimation increases, thewavefronts of the light become flatter and closer to plane waves.Partial collimation may be reached for a rectangular forwardfield-of-view (FOV) of FWHM 40 degrees or for better than FWHM 20degrees or better than FWHM 25 degrees.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this technology belongs. To the extent there isconflict with any document incorporated herein by reference, the presentspecification, including definitions, controls.

The preceding figures and accompanying description illustrate examplemethods, systems and devices for illumination. It will be understoodthat these methods, systems, and devices are for illustration purposesonly and that the described or similar techniques may be performed atany appropriate time, including concurrently, individually, or incombination. In addition, many of the steps in these processes may takeplace simultaneously, concurrently, and/or in different orders than asshown. Moreover, the described methods/devices may use additionalsteps/parts, fewer steps/parts, and/or different steps/parts, so long asthe methods/devices remain appropriate.

In other words, although this disclosure has been described in terms ofcertain aspects or implementations and generally associated methods,alterations and permutations of these aspects or implementations will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptionof example implementations does not define or constrain this disclosure.Further implementations are in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination system comprising: multiple lightemitting elements (LEEs); a first light guide extending along a firstplane, the first light guide being positioned and arranged to receivelight from at least some of the LEEs and guide the light in a firstdirection in the first plane; a second light guide extending along thefirst plane, the second light guide being positioned and arranged toreceive light from at least some other of the LEEs and guide the lightin a second direction in the first plane opposite to the firstdirection; a first redirecting optic positioned and arranged to receivelight from the first light guide and direct the light in a first angularrange and a second angular range; and a second redirecting opticpositioned and arranged to receive light from the second light guide anddirect the light in a third angular range and a fourth angular range,wherein each of the light guides and the redirecting optics has alongitudinal dimension that is (i) parallel to the first plane and (ii)orthogonal to the first and second directions, wherein the LEEs aredistributed along the longitudinal dimension, and wherein the first,second, third and fourth angular ranges are different, such that each ofprevalent propagation directions of the first angular range and thesecond angular range has a component that is opposite the firstdirection, and each of prevalent propagation directions of the thirdangular range and the fourth angular range has a component that isopposite the second direction.
 2. The illumination system of claim 1,wherein the first angular range and the second angular range aresymmetrical with respect to the first plane, and the third angular rangeand the fourth angular range are symmetrical with respect to the firstplane.
 3. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the first angularrange and the third angular range are symmetrical with respect to asecond plane that (i) is orthogonal to the first plane and (ii) containsthe longitudinal dimension, and the second angular range and the fourthangular range are symmetrical with respect to the second plane.
 4. Theillumination system of claim 1, further comprising a power controllerarranged and configured to power the multiple LEEs dependently orindependently.
 5. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein the atleast some of the multiple LEEs from which the first light guidereceives the light are controlled independently from the at least someother of the multiple LEEs from which the second light guide receivesthe light.
 6. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the multipleLEEs comprise light-emitting diodes.